Ok so this is my first fanfic so any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Before reading this you should be aware that Aaliyah is 26 and in my version of events Ruby and Casey are not together. Ruby is with Xavier. Also Brax and Charlie have only just started their fling. I hope you enjoy my first chapter. And please Review and let me know what you think xx

Aaliyah took a deep breath as she slowly approached the 'Welcome to Summer Bay' sign. She glanced in her rear view mirror and saw her little boy fast asleep in his booster chair. She smiled to herself as she continued up the road.

Casey, Brax and Heath were stood outside talking to a few of the river boys when a Brand New Black Audi A3 pulled up in the drive next door.

"The new neighbours are here" Heath smiled as he eyed the pretty blonde sat in the driver's seat. The Boy's looked on as she opened the door and climbed out of the car, she was wearing black skinny jeans and an oversized white jumper which gathers around the bottom and hung off one shoulder, her hair was in a loose bun with a sweeping fringe, on her feet she was wearing a pair of leopard print pumps. As she walked to the boot she caught a glimpse of her captive audience.

"Can I help you?" she snapped a little more than she meant to. Brax smiled and took this as his cue to go over and introduce himself. Aaliyah looked a little curious as the tall dark haired male approached her. As he got near her she couldn't help noticing his body art, and extremely casual clothes, an open checked shirt and a pair of grey board shorts.

"Hi, I'm Brax and these are my brother's Heath and Casey" Brax pointed at each man individually as he said their names.

"We live next door" he continued as he spun back to face her.

"Aaliyah Henderson, and that's my son Riley" she replied pointing to the back seat of her car. She pulled a few boxes out and nearly dropped them. Brax quickly grabbed them "Here let me help" Aaliyah reluctantly handed him the boxes. She walked to the passenger side of the car and pulled out her handbag, she foraged to the bottom and pulled out a set of keys which had a key ring marked 31 attached to them. Brax could feel the box getting heavier, he looked at her.

"I'm sorry" she replied quickly hurrying to the door unlocking it. Brax yelled at the boys to bring the rest of the boxes out of the boot of her car. He placed the boxes on the kitchen side and watched Aaliyah look around the empty house.

"I'll leave you to it, listen if there's anything you need just knock" Brax smiled and walked out of the door.

A couple of hours had passed before the removal men arrived. Riley was sat at the kitchen counter playing on his Nintendo DSi and Aaliyah was supervising the delivery men. "That one goes in the biggest bedroom" she said directing the men carrying a white French dressing table. "Put that in the lounge" the men put the charcoal sofa in the centre of the room. It was the last bit of furniture. Aaliyah paid the men and they left. After a few final adjustments Aaliyah had finally got the house how she wanted it. She decided she would have to re-decorate eventually but for now it was fine. It was 4.30pm when she looked at her watch, she hadn't had chance to go grocery shopping so she decided they would eat out tonight. "Hey sweetie what do you want for dinner" she asked as she walked into her sons bedroom. "Pizza" he yelled happily playing with his toy cars. "Ok, well Mummy's gonna hop in the shower then we will head out ok?" she locked the front door before heading into the bathroom. It felt so good to be clean, Aaliyah wrapped a towel around her torso and went to open the door but the handle fell off in her hand. "You can't be serious, Riley…Riley" she yelled. "What's wrong mum"

"Can you open the door from the outside" Aaliyah shouted hopefully

"No its broken mum" Aaliyah banged her head against the door. "Riley, listen honey I need you to go next door and tell them I'm stuck"

Riley opened the door and knocked loudly on the Braxton brother's door. The youngest brother answered "Hey, mate what's up?" Casey asked looking down at the little boy. "My mum's locked in the bathroom, the handles broken" Casey smiled as he followed the little boy into next door. He couldn't help but stare at the house it looked like something out of a show home magazine. Casey walked to the door and knocked on it "Hello its Casey Braxton from next door" he yelled. "Oh Casey, your Brax's little brother" Aaliyah was relieved someone had been home. "Not so little, but yeah" Casey smiled. "Do you think you could help me?" Casey turned the handle and opened the door. "Thank you, Riley you monkey, you said it was broken" Aaliyah aimed a look at Riley who was smiling sheepishly. "Thank you, so much, I'm sorry he told me it was broken" Aaliyah could feel her cheeks glowing, she must have been blushing. "It's fine" Casey smiled and headed out of the door. "Listen I'm taking Riley out for Pizza- not that he deserves it- I was wondering if you wanted to come along, my shout to thank you for rescuing me"

"Sure" Casey nodded and sat in the lounge waiting for Aaliyah to get dressed, she walked out of then living room wearing a black and pink maxi dress which touched the floor and black flip flops, her hair was hanging loose around her shoulders. Casey did a double take when he saw the young beauty approach. She tossed her keys and Iphone into her bag and headed towards the door "Come on then let's go" she smiled locking the door behind her.

Aaliyah noticed a familiar face as she approached the bar "You work here?" she asked curiously. "Something like that" Brax grinned. He quickly turned his attention to Casey who was sat at the table with Riley. "Oh he helped me out of a situation earlier, I'm shouting him a pizza to say thank-you" she smiled. Brax nodded "So what can I get you?" he couldn't shake his school boy grin; this girl was beautiful and so confident in front of him. "Erm an OJ, Sparkling water and whatever Casey normally has"

"Sure sit down and I'll bring them over" Brax nodded towards the table.

Aaliyah sat at the table and studied the menu. Riley was colouring in a book Aaliyah had brought along. "Can I take you order" Brax asked as he took a pad from his back pocket. "Erm…Casey" Aaliyah looked at Casey, she was still deciding.

"Just my usual bro"

"Can I have Ham and pineapple, please" Riley asked. Aaliyah was distracted as a waiter put some drinks on the table. "Erm Goats cheese and Red pepper please" Aaliyah finally looked up from the menu. Brax headed towards the kitchen and Aaliyah turned her attention to Casey "So when you're not rescuing damsels in distress what do you like to do in your spare time?" she asked as she took a sip of water.

Casey laughed a little before replying "Not a lot really, I've been studying really hard trying to catch up so I can re-take my HSC" This captured Aaliyah's full attention. "Not the results you were expecting" Aaliyah was interested why this youngster had the re-sit the exams. "Not exactly. I didn't take them…I was in Juvey" Casey looked a little cautious. "Oh right, so are you retaking year 12 then?" she asked unphased

"Yeah" Casey was shocked that his confession hadn't caused a reaction.

"Well I'll be seeing a lot of you then, I've just taken over the role of Mr Copeland…I'm your new English teacher" Casey was now wearing the same school boy grin of his oldest brother. Their pizzas arrived; Riley was the first to finish his. "Wow mate, that didn't touch the sides" Casey laughed

"Well it's his first meal all week" Aaliyah looked at Casey whose face dropped instantly.

"I'm kidding" Aaliyah smirked as she took some money out of her purse to put on the bill plate. "Can I give you a lift home, it's on my way" she smiled cheekily. "No, It's fine I'll get a lift with Brax" Aaliyah nodded as she put her hand on her son's shoulder and guided him down the stairs into the surf club, where she noticed the middle Braxton brother horsing around with a few mates, one of the guys nearly hit Riley in the face with a pool cue. Aaliyah quickly reacted and grabbed the pole cue stopping it instantly. "Hey do you wanna watch what you're doing, y'idiot" she yelled angrily.